LifeMOD™ 2010.0 Overview

The LifeMOD™ Biomechanics Modeler is a plug-in module to the ADAMS physics engine. It allows for full functionality of ADAMS/View during the creation of human models. Since human models are built entirely within ADAMS/View, the human models may be combined with any type of physical environment or system for full dynamic interaction.

LifeMOD is the primary product through which all additional plugins (NeckSIM, LumbarSIM, KneeSIM, etc) are run. It also includes two technology-based plugins: Motion Matrix and DOE.

General Human Modeling Paradigm

The creation of human models begins by generating a base human segment set, followed by joints, soft tissues and contact elements between the model and the environment.

Any given simulation runs from a specific starting posture. The models created in LifeMOD may be passive or active.

Passive Models

Passive models are reactive to the environment around them. Most tests run like the physical tests performed on crash dummies, measuring the body's reaction to outside stimuli. Since the body itself does not cause or drive any of the motion, motion agents and programmed muscle functions are not necessary.

Active Models

Active models cause reactions in the environment. In order to achieve accurate simulations of muscle and joint movement, an inverse dynamics simulation is run first to record angulation and muscle-contraction histories for the target body segments. Motion agents are positioned on the model to drive the movement and "teach" the joints and soft tissues how to move.

Once the necessary movements have been recorded in an inverse dynamics simulation, the compiled movement histories are then ready to drive the forward dynamics simulations, which test the subject in an applicable environment.